Dozens of Salinas residents staged a protest outside the Salinas police station Wednesday night with cardboard coffins, candles, and a prayer fire in response to four fatal officer-involved shootings this year.

Back in July, Police Chief Kelly McMillin said, "To assert that this is a racist police department that engages in discriminatory behavior is really pretty insulting. I think if the Department of Justice decided to open an investigation, they'd come in and find a department that's well trained, compassionate, that's hard working and committed to principals of social justice and equal treatment under the law."

Since 1996, the Coalition to Stop Police Brutality has happened nationwide on Oct. 22, and on Wednesday, Salinas residents used the day to send a message to their police department.

Police officers said they expected the protest outside their doors on Wednesday and they appreciated that it remained peaceful. Officers also said they respect the right to freedom of speech.

Rally organizer Ana Barrera told protesters to turn the upcoming election into a show of disapproval for the Salinas Police Department.

"When you go vote in November, vote no on Measure G and no on Measure H. Stand in solidarity with the mourning families of these shooting victims," Barrera said.